Chapter 1198

<Chapter 1198> 1198. The Ascension Path of Light

After being dragged by the monks, I met the instructor.

After receiving a verbal scolding from the instructor, I headed to the square. Though I had pierced that guy’s eyeball with a brush, since I didn’t kill him, it ended with just nagging.

‘They just overlooked it after checking my level.’

I was currently at Rank 9 of the Standing Style.

Originally, I was at Rank 10 of the Wrath Style, but with Miling’s help, I placed a seal on my body using sorcery. Since hiding my skills halfway would’ve been suspicious, I decided to place a proper seal.

‘Being at Rank 9 of the Standing Style at 21 makes me top-tier talent. Someone they wouldn’t want to lose.’

That was why the instructor only nagged and let it go.

No matter the faction, talented individuals are always valuable, because everyone wants to possess talent.

When I entered the square, I quietly looked around. Everyone lined up in the square were today’s new recruits entering the Demon-Taming Academy. They stood frozen, silently gauging the atmosphere.

I felt an itching sensation on my back.

‘The instructors are watching me.’

They’re keeping an eye on whether or not I’ll cause trouble. The instructors all wore black clothes with red sashes.

I didn’t plan on causing trouble right now. But I needed to stir things up occasionally. After all, Yeom Guseok, the persona I’m pretending to be, is someone who frequently causes chaos.

‘Around 700 people, huh?’

Not many.

Considering this world’s absurdly large population, this number is quite small. And half of these won’t even graduate from the Demon-Taming Academy—they’ll die.

‘There are ways to enter the Heaven-Demon Sect other than through the Demon-Taming Academy.’

People without connections, those who want to test themselves, and those aiming for success enroll in the academy. Despite its infamous reputation, graduating from here practically guarantees a bright future.

A middle-aged man in a red robe appeared. He confidently strolled through the ranks of new recruits and stood at the front of the square.

His face was half-covered by a beard, and his eyes were as fierce as a tiger’s.

“Nice to meet you all. I am Bae Taek-Joo, the headmaster of the Demon-Taming Academy and overall supervisor.”

“…”

The square was silent. Bae Taek-Joo smiled faintly, seemingly pleased with the recruits’ silence.

“Number 1, step forward.”

Without further ado, Bae Taek-Joo called out Number 1. A male recruit with a stiff expression walked forward to Bae Taek-Joo.

Bae Taek-Joo placed his hand on the crown of Number 1’s head.

“…Middle-Middle (Average). Group 2.”

An instructor approached and handed Number 1 training robes and a number tag. Following the instructor’s directions, Number 1 moved toward the flag marked with “Group 2.”

“Number 2, step forward.”

Bae Taek-Joo called out Number 2.

“Lower-Middle. Group 3.”

The classification was based on the recruits’ levels. It meant they intended to teach everyone here according to their respective standards.

It made sense. Everyone gathered here started at different points; treating them all the same would actually be unfair.

‘Most of them are going to Group 3.’

Group 3 was where the average folks gathered. Of course, talented ones would naturally rise higher over time.

“Number 88!”

Before long, Bae Taek-Joo called out Number 88.

I focused and stared at the man stepping forward. He was handsome.


The expressionless guy standing there is none other than the “Possessed Celestial Demon.”

“Now I’m certain after seeing his face. Thankfully, just like in the original story, he’s received Number 88.”

Cheon Yu-un.

He is the protagonist of *I Woke Up to Become a Celestial Demon*. I personally refer to him as the Possessed Celestial Demon.

Right now, Cheon Yu-un must believe that he has possessed one of the antagonists from the martial arts novel *Celestial Martial Emperor*. Even though the world’s background has slightly shifted towards a righteous sect due to the *Glorious Ascension Technique*, the overall storyline still closely follows *Celestial Martial Emperor*.

“Junior Celestial Demon Cheon Yu-un.”

That guy wasn’t the Celestial Demon yet.

He was the son of the Celestial Demon. The character who would later become the Celestial Demon.

“This kid isn’t easy like the other-worldly Celestial Demon Shin Jong-woo. He’s not stupid either. And he’s already laid the groundwork with the Black Earth Alliance.”

Why would such a meticulous guy join the Devil Training Institute?

It was to gather talented individuals. He had already identified most of the skilled humans through the *Celestial Martial Emperor* martial arts novel.

“Among them is Yeom Goo-seok, whose identity I’ve stolen by killing him.”

Cheon Yu-un knows about Yeom Goo-seok but hasn’t seen his face. After all, he only knows him from the novel.

“He’ll definitely confirm it’s me when he sees the red demon tattoo on my back.”

Everything is going according to my plan.

“…Choi Sang. Group 1.”

Bae Taek-ju looked at Cheon Yu-un and spoke. As the head of the Devil Training Institute, he already knew Cheon Yu-un’s true identity.

‘He thinks Cheon Yu-un is trying to prove his worth here at the institute.’

I quietly glanced around.

There were quite a few people with striking appearances. At first glance, they seemed like nobles’ offspring. In reality, they were the children of Celestial Demon Sect officials, trying to make a good impression on Cheon Yu-un, the next Celestial Demon, by joining the institute.

“Number 123!”

Bae Taek-ju called out to me. I stood confidently in front of him. He gave me a strange look, clearly having heard reports that I caused trouble right after arriving. Then he reached out and placed his hand on my head.

‘This old man touching my scalp… pisses me off so much.’

Through the Bai Hui pressure point, Bae Taek-ju’s energy flowed into me. I didn’t resist. His energy soon disappeared, but I was a little nervous. There was no way he could detect my true abilities, but if he did, the plan would be ruined.

“Choi Sang. Group 1.”

Thankfully, nothing went wrong. I accepted what I needed to and moved toward Group 1. There weren’t even ten people in Group 1 yet. Once this boring classification ends, there will probably be around a hundred people assigned to Group 1.

“Number 123.”

Cheon Yu-un approached me. I gave him a sidelong glare. The moment he stepped beside me, the instructors’ eyes focused on us.

“…What?”

“There’s no need to be so defensive. I just came over to exchange greetings.”

“Why would I bother exchanging pleasantries with someone like you?”

“We’re in the same group, aren’t we? We’ll have to get along moving forward.”

“…Let me warn you: don’t get too cocky.”

After growling once, I turned my head away, ignoring Cheon Yu-un. Of course, this was also part of the plan.

“Number 567. Choi Sang, Group 1.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Number 567.

Number 567 was a woman, and not just any woman—she was a stunning beauty that made your eyes widen. Her long black hair, porcelain-white skin, and perfectly sculpted features. Even her emotionless expression couldn’t hide her breathtaking beauty.

‘The heroine of the Possessed Celestial Demon. Yan Ye-ha, daughter of Sword Demon.’

Cheon Yu-un and Yan Ye-ha’s gazes met briefly. There was no reaction. There was no connection between them.

The classification ended.

Devil Training Institute Director Bae Taek-ju explained the rules before disappearing. Don’t argue with the instructors, don’t fight among yourselves, etc.

Groups 1, 2, and 3 followed their respective instructors in different directions.

This was where we’d be staying for the next year. Each group had its own designated dormitory. Group 3 would likely get a run-down place, while Group 1 got something akin to a high-class inn.


Behold, ye mighty ones.

At the Heavenly Horse Spirit Sect, only the strong are treated with respect. Not just lodging, but all conveniences will be bestowed upon the first squad to the highest degree. The third and second squads will surely strive to enter the first squad, while those already in the first squad must work hard not to get demoted.

“Men use this building, women that one over there. I trust no foolishness will occur.”

The men and women parted ways. The men let out sighs of longing as they trudged toward their dormitories.

“In half an hour, gather in front of the dormitory. If you’re even a second late… well, expect the worst.”

The instructor smirked coldly, exuding authority. Most of the others tensed up.

Rooms were assigned.

One person per room—it was quite satisfying.

Afterward, for a whole week under the guise of “spiritual education,” we were run ragged. I seriously considered plotting the assassination of the instructor.

•••

“Number 123. Step forward.”

The instructor called me.

I approached the instructor. He tossed me a sword like it was trash.

“It’s a sparring match. Take it and assume your stance.”

“Is this a live blade sparring session?”

“Does a warrior of the Heavenly Horse Spirit Sect fear live blade duels?”

“Of course not.”

“Since I’m your instructor, show proper respect. You arrogant brat.”

I could feel overt hostility radiating from the instructor. Glancing around, the other instructors seemed uninterested in intervening.

‘Trying to cripple me under the pretense of sparring?’

If I became crippled, I’d have no choice but to leave the Demon Subduing Hall.

‘The guy whose eye I accidentally stabbed with a brush on the first day—did he put this guy up to it? Or is this his friend?’

The details didn’t matter.

What mattered was that I wouldn’t let anyone who tried to harm me walk away unscathed.

As I took the sword, the instructor grinned.

“From now on, this sparring will be as realistic as possible. Watch closely, everyone.”

The instructor stepped forward with practiced footwork, his sword swinging down from above in a clean, honest strike.

‘You probably planned to trade blows casually at first, then cripple me when the time was right.’

Amateurish.

I deflected his attack and used a flash-step technique to close the distance.

“Eh, wha—?!”

The instructor flailed his palm in panic as heat billowed with every movement through the air.

‘A palm technique of the Heat Yang series, perhaps?’

His palms never reached me. My sword had already pierced his gut.

“Guh…!”

The instructor reached for my neck, his intent to kill obvious.

‘I can easily dodge this.’

But I deliberately didn’t. Instead, I raised my left arm. His palm, aimed for my throat, grabbed my wrist instead. Zzzt! My clothes burned, my skin seared. Clenching through the pain, I kicked him in the chest.

The instructor staggered, trying to rise, but the other instructors intervened.

“That’s enough! This is sparring. Both of you went too far! Take them both to the infirmary! Keep watch. If anything else happens… none of you will go unpunished either.”

The senior-looking instructor’s words were met with nods, and the others sprang into action.

As I watched the instructor being dragged off to the infirmary by his colleagues, I smirked. My blade had cleanly pierced his dantian.

The dantian is the center of the body and the core of martial arts. It gathers internal energy. Without it, there’s nowhere to store that energy. Unless he possessed some extraordinary body or special martial art, which he clearly didn’t since he was just an instructor…

‘Not even divine intervention could fix that. His life as a martial artist is over. Hah hah.’

He’ll never cross paths with me again.

‘While I’ll face some consequences too… I’m also a victim here. And…’

I glanced sideways. Number 88. Little Demon Horse Tian Wuyin was staring at me with shining eyes. He’s started taking interest in me. He’ll investigate me, and eventually discover who I really am—Yemu Sek.

‘Hah hah. Everything’s going according to plan.’